Fisheries across the land have been given a welcome festive boost of fish stocks this month, with a range of species – everything from tench to barbel – being introduced to popular river and stillwater angling venues.
South Yorkshire’s Worsbrough Reservoir was one of the first waters to receive a hit of fish, with an impressive 1,150lb of carp being added.
“This is half of the stocking planned – the rest are due very soon,” said Graeme Wall, match organiser of Barnsley & District Amalgamated Angling Society (BDAAS), before adding: “Silverfish anglers need not panic – BDAAS is working on something for you too!”
Worsbrough has been closed over recent months for essential repair work, but is expected to re-open in mid-January.
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Elsewhere, on the western side of the Pennines, Foulridge Reservoir received 350lb of tench between 1lb 8oz and 4lb.
“We’ve been stocking the venue for the past five years with top quality fish,” said Matt Heyes, secretary of Pendle & Burnley District AA.
“Next, we are going to be introducing an additional 350lb of bream, topping up the 4,000lb of fish that’ve already gone into the venue.”
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Further south in the Midlands, Embryo Angling’s Langold Lake in Nottinghamshire was stocked with a large number of skimmers, and some stunning scaley carp are due to be put in over the coming weeks too.
Rivers didn’t miss out on the action either, as Milton Keynes AA waters benefitted from stocks supplied by the Environment Agency.
“Over 1,000 barbel between one and two years old were introduced to our stretch of the Great Ouse at the top end of Stone Park,” club chairman Gary Maton said. In addition, 2,000 dace, 1,000 roach and 1,000 chub were stocked into MKAA’s stretch of the River Ousel.
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“Ever wonder what happens to your rod licence money? This is just one example of the many roles the EA undertakes to improve fishing,” Gary added.
It might seem strange to stock thousands of fish in the depths of winter, but Dr Paul Garner said there were several very good reasons for doing so. “Lower temperatures make the fish easier to transport, as they need less oxygen in cold water,” he explained.
“This also makes them more lethargic, so they’re less likely to get damaged, and they’re also less likely to pick up diseases.”
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